Experimental study on prefabricated composite box girder bridge with corrugated steel webs

An innovative prefabricated composite box girder with corrugated steel web was proposed in this paper. This study investigated the mechanical property of the prefabricated composite box girder with corrugated steel web during two batches of tensioning of internal prestressed tendons and one field static loading test at the Jialu River Bridge in Zhengzhou, China. By analyzing the experimental, theoretical and numerical results, a finite element model was established, and the prestress transfer mechanism of the prefabricated composite box girder with corrugated steel web was revealed. The results showed that during tensioning, the prestress of the concrete floor could be effectively transferred to the concrete roof through the coordinated deformation of the web while the sheer force of the section was mainly transferred by the corrugated steel web. The concrete roof was gradually compressed, and upward deflection occurred during the tensioning. The deflection of the test beam was rela-tively small under the seven types of working conditions, and the deformation of the concrete roof and floor of each section satisfied the plane-section assumption. The normal stress values of the wet joint and prefabricated section of the concrete floor were consistent and changed synchronously, which demonstrates the integrality of the wet joint and prefabricated part of the beam. The test results presented in this study may provide a reference for the design and construction of such bridges.